Mawi (Selong Belanak)

Advanced riders
Best for
Intermediate to Advanced
Skill Level
Ocean
Spot Type
Moderate
Crowd Level

This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.

About this spot

About

Mawi is an exposed reef break on south Lombok known for fairly consistent performance and high-quality hollow barrels. The wave splits into right and left peaks: the right is faster and more intense, while the left is the longer, hollow option and tends to dominate on bigger swells. It is described as a regional classic and swell magnet during the dry season. Wind is typically helped by the prevailing southeast/east trade pattern, which can be offshore and “groom” the wave face for cleaner barrels. The spot is best around mid to mid-to-high tide, when there’s more water over the reef and entry/exit is generally more forgiving. Dead/low tide is flagged as particularly dangerous because the reef becomes very shallow. The primary risks are sharp coral reef, rocks, and strong rip currents—especially on mid-to-large swells—along with sea urchins and potential heavy hold-downs. Rescue and lifeguards are not available on-site, so plan for self-reliance and rapid transport if needed. Local guidance emphasizes respecting lineup order and sharing the peak. Operationally, access is via a bumpy dirt road and unpaved parking area; conditions can worsen after rain. On-site amenities are limited, and surfers are typically expected to bring what they need (food/water and equipment), with medical services requiring transport to the broader area if injuries occur.

  • Exposed A-frame reef with a long hollow left on larger swells
  • Offshore southeast/east trade winds for cleaner faces
  • Dry-season peak from May through September/October
Great for
Advanced riders
What's great
  • Famous, consistent exposed reef performance in the dry season
  • Offshore southeast/east trades groom the face well
  • Left offers long, hollow sections; right provides fast, punchy waves
Heads up
  • Sharp reef with serious consequences at low tide
  • Strong rip currents and heavy hold-downs on larger swells
  • Unreliable/rough primitive access road and limited on-the-ground support
  • Not suitable as a beginner surfing option
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
E, ESE, SE
Offshore directions
SE
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Trade — Southeast trade/offshore winds during the dry season.
Reliability
high
Gust Factor
Steady — Steady winds.
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September
Shadow Zones
Very close to shore, high cliffs to the east can create minor wind shadows.

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean
Beach
Reef — Reef-coral with sand present in the bottom/approach area.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Medium — Works from about 1.0–1.5 m and can build to much larger sizes (beyond overhead).
Chop Level
Light chop — Typically cleaner/groomed when offshore trades are active.
Launch
Small — Small, secluded primitive entry on reef with sandy access gaps between reef sections.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
26–29 °C
Water Temperature
28–32 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: boardshorts/1mm top
Crowds by Season

Peak in August; otherwise moderate year-round.

Storm/Rain Season

October to April (wet season; monsoon season).

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed A-frame reef break splitting into right and left sections. The left is the longer, hollow option and typically dominates on bigger swells; the right is shorter and punchier, often finishing more abruptly on lower tides.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
S, SSW, SW
Swell Height
0.9–2.4 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Works best around mid to mid-to-high tide; low/dead low tide becomes very shallow over the reef.
Shelter
Exposed — Open, exposed reef break with minimal protection from swell.
Wind Effect
Offshore southeast/east trade winds groom the wave face for cleaner barrels.
Bigger Swell
Holds up well on larger swell; left becomes dominant above overhead, while the right can die out. Can produce heavy, serious barrels.
Wave Quality
Excellent — Described as excellent/regionally classic performance.
Wave Power
Powerful — Powerful reef performance; can become very heavy on bigger swells.
Wave Shape
Barreling — Hollow/barreling shape.
Peel Speed
Fast — Fast peeling face.
Ride Length
Short — Normal length typically under 50 m; good sessions often reach 50–150 m depending on swell/tide.
Typical Ride Length
50–150 m
Ride Length Details
Left typically offers longer, hollow sections; right is shorter and can end in closeout on low tide.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Mawi (Selong Belanak) in the full forecast view.

Mawi (Selong Belanak) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
3–12 ktsGusts 25 kts
Direction
SE143°
Strongest day
Thu, Oct 2912 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
1.2–2.5 m10s period
Temperature
25–32 °C

Over the next 7 days, Mawi (Selong Belanak) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 1.2–2.5 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

What to know before you launch

Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.

Hazards

  • sharp coral reef
  • shallow reef at low tide
  • rocks
  • strong rip currents
  • sea urchins
  • heavy hold-downs on big swells
  • rip currents and tidal flow (especially on larger swells)
Ability Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestLeashBoots

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No on-site rescue; plan for self-rescue and rapid transport if needed.
Emergency Info
Nearest basic medical clinics are in Selong Belanak or Kuta Lombok; serious injuries require transport to Mataram.
Localism / Vibe
Mild — Local surfers present; share lineup order and respect the peak.

Rules of the spot

No designated zones; share the peak and respect local surfers (standard surfing etiquette applies).

Local Tips
  • Avoid dead/low tide due to shallow and dangerous reef conditions; mid-to-high tide is more forgiving for entry and exit.
  • Rough/unpaved access road can become difficult after rain—check current access conditions before driving in.
  • Heavier swell can produce strong hold-downs; be prepared for demanding takeoffs in deeper water.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Mataram
Nearest Town
Selong Belanak
Nearest Airport
Lombok International Airport (LOP)
Parking
Small unpaved dirt parking area near beach access; a small fee is usually required.
Public Transport
Virtually non-existent for tourists; transport relies on rented scooters, private cars, or pre-arranged shuttles.
Access
Head west from Kuta Lombok along Jalan Mawun (~17.4 km), then left onto Jalan Pantai Mawi (~3.4 km dirt road with potholes through tobacco plantation to the beach; ~45 min by car/scooter).
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia), Sasak
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Toilets
Restaurant
Accommodation
Nearby town — No accommodation on the spot; lodging is available in Selong Belanak or Kuta Lombok (about 30–45 minutes by drive).
Food & Drink
Limited on-site food/drinks; some basic beach warungs providing Indonesian food, coconuts, and cold drinks.
Equipment Rental:
Very limited; most surfers bring their own boards. Occasionally locals may rent older boards.
Gear Repair
No repair at the beach; repair shops are located in Kuta Lombok.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

The surrounding Selong Belanak coast is a surf-centric area with scenic viewpoints and seasonal trade-wind conditions.

Best time to visit: Dry season (May to September) for more consistent swells and offshore winds.
Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Mawi (Selong Belanak)?

The best overall months at Mawi (Selong Belanak) are May, June, July, August, September.

Which wind directions work at Mawi (Selong Belanak)?

Mawi (Selong Belanak) works with E, ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are SE.

What skill level is Mawi (Selong Belanak) suitable for?

Mawi (Selong Belanak) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.